The Cape Codder endorsement: Julian Cyr for Senate

Friday

Oct 26, 2018 at 3:01 AM

Two years ago The Cape Codder endorsed Truro native and Democrat Julian Cyr to represent the Cape and Islands in the state Senate – his first try at elected office.

We said it had been a long time since we’d seen a candidate with his spirit, energy and smarts. That’s still the case, and as he now seeks re-election to a second term, we look back on our choice with pride.

We stand behind the senator's progressive Democratic ideology, but a big part of his job is to bring home the bacon.

Sen. Cyr has delivered $1.2 million in local funding for Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket. His local priorities represent investment in jobs, infrastructure, tourism, small businesses and non-profits, which are all segments of our district that promote economic development for the seasonal and year-round economies.

Many key groups and efforts will receive state funds, plus grants and bond authorizations, thanks to Sen. Cyr’s diligence -- $190,000 to battle the opioid crisis, $65,000 for Housing Assistance Corp., $35,000 to Sustainable Cape, $25,000 for Sight Loss Services – to name just a few across the region.

At the top of his accomplishments is the Cape Cod and Islands Water Protection Fund, which will be financed with a 1.75 percent tax on short-term rentals under the so-called “Airbnb Bill.”

This tax on tourist accommodations has the potential to cut tens of millions of dollars off municipal expenses, as towns finance insanely expensive wastewater treatment and nitrogen mitigation projects.

Sen. Cyr led the way to make it happen in the Senate, and while the bill enacting the fund is still in play we are confident that it, or something very close to it, will soon come to fruition.

Meanwhile his Republican opponent, John Flores, runs a belligerent campaign, contradicts his own earlier statements, and has the audacity to imply that because Sen. Cyr doesn't own real estate he isn't entitled to hold elected office -- it's an elitist view that fits with the callous party of Trump and shows that Flores is out of touch with the economic realities of life on Cape Cod.

Julian Cyr should be returned to the Senate to continue his good work.